Joshua 22:24

King James Version (KJV)

But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a

Other Translations

asv (asv)

eBible.org engASV USFM

And out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with its suburbs, Abdon with its suburbs,

darby (darby)

eBible.org Darby 1890 plaintext

and if we have not done it from fear of this thing, saying, In future your children will speak to our children, saying, What have ye to do with Jehovah theGod of Israel?

lxxbrent (lxxbrent)

Septuagint (Brenton 1851) eBible USFM

But we have done this for the sake of precaution [concerning this] thing, saying, Lest hereafter your sons should say to our sons, What have ye to do with the Lord God of Israel?

vul1914 (vul1914)

Vulgate 1914 UTF-8 (sacredbible.org)

et non ea magis cogitatione atque tractatu, ut diceremus: Cras dicent filii vestri filiis nostris: Quid vobis et Domino Deo Israel?

web (web)

WorldEnglish.Bible — CC0 modern update of ASV

“If we have not out of concern done this, and for a reason, saying, ‘In time to come your children might speak to our children, saying, “What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel?

ylt (ylt)

Bible.com YLT98 plain UTF-8

`And if not, from fear of <FI>this<Fi> thing we have done it, saying, Hereafter your sons do speak to ours sons, saying, What to you and to Jehovah God of Israel?

Explanations by Age Level

Explain Like I'm 5

This verse tells us that God made everything! Before there was anything at all - no toys, no houses, no animals, no people, not even the ground we walk on or the sky above us - there was only God. And God is so amazing and powerful that He made everything we see just by wanting it to exist. He made the whole world, the stars, the moon, the sun, and everything in it. God was there first, and He made everything else!

Explain Like I'm 10

Genesis 1:1 is like the opening line of the greatest story ever told. It tells us that before anything existed - no universe, no planets, no life - God was there. The word "beginning" doesn't mean God had a beginning, but rather the beginning of everything else. God created both "heaven" (the sky and space) and "earth" (our planet and everything on it). This verse teaches us that God is the source of everything, that He existed before time itself, and that He has the power to create something from nothing. It's the foundation that helps us understand who God is and where everything came from.

Explain Like I'm 15

Genesis 1:1 establishes several crucial theological and philosophical concepts. The Hebrew word "bereshit" (in the beginning) indicates the commencement of time and space, not God's beginning, since God is eternal. "Elohim" (God) is a plural noun used with singular verbs, possibly hinting at the Trinity. The verb "bara" (created) is used exclusively for divine creation and implies creation ex nihilo (from nothing), distinguishing God's creative act from human making or forming. "Heaven and earth" is a merism representing the totality of creation - everything that exists. This verse refutes atheism (God exists), pantheism (God is distinct from creation), polytheism (one God created all), and materialism (matter is not eternal). It establishes God as transcendent, eternal, and omnipotent, setting the foundation for understanding reality, purpose, and meaning.

Biblical Commentary

Historical Context

Genesis 1:1 was written by Moses around 1450-1410 BC during the Israelites' wilderness wanderings. This opening statement would have been particularly meaningful to the Israelites who had just come out of Egypt, where they were surrounded by polytheistic creation myths. This verse establishes monotheism and God's sovereignty over all creation.

Hebrew Insights

The Hebrew text reveals deeper meanings: "Bereshit" can also mean "in the beginning of" or "when God began to create," suggesting an ongoing relationship between God and creation. "Elohim" is grammatically plural but takes singular verbs, emphasizing both God's majesty and unity. The verb "bara" appears only with God as the subject in Scripture, indicating a type of creation that only God can perform.

Theological Significance

This verse establishes fundamental truths about God's nature: He is eternal (existing before creation), transcendent (separate from creation), omnipotent (able to create from nothing), and personal (actively involved in creation). It also establishes the material world as good and purposeful, not illusory or evil as some philosophies suggest.

Cross References

This verse connects with John 1:1-3 ("In the beginning was the Word"), Hebrews 11:3 ("By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command"), and Colossians 1:16 ("For in him all things were created"). These passages reinforce the truth that God, through Christ, is the creator of all things.